Project: AN Residence
Architecture: Vincent Van Duysen
Location: Los Angeles, California
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Stephen K. Johnson
Perched on a secluded, concave plateau, AN Residence emerges as a sculptural statement by Vincent Van Duysen. Although it greets visitors with a closed, introspective façade, the house unfolds into a series of colonnades that frame sweeping canyon views at the rear. Consequently, it feels both protective and expansive, paying subtle homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House while embracing mid‑century modernism.
Context and Design Inspiration
First, Van Duysen rooted the concept in pure stone. He clads every structural wall in the same monolithic material, stacking and offsetting volumes so that the garden appears to push into the living spaces. Moreover, he channels the spirit of Los Angeles Case Study Houses—drawing on Richard Neutra’s razor‑sharp lines and the indoor‑outdoor fluidity of the Kaufmann Desert House. As a result, AN Residence feels equally timeless and of its place.
Material Palette and Indoor‑Outdoor Flow
Next, the architect balances heft with warmth. He anchors the exterior in natural stone, then introduces warm wood to key interior zones. Furthermore, generous openings and sliding wooden panels dissolve the boundary between inside and out. At the same time, the colonnade offers sculptural shade, casting rhythmic shadows that enliven the stone façade throughout the day.
Architectural Layout and Landscape Integration
Meanwhile, a central core with a fireplace splits the plan into two wings: one for kitchen, terrace, and pool; the other for private living quarters. Additionally, Van Duysen centers an olive‑tree courtyard to reinforce the dialogue between architecture and nature. Finally, he tucks a lower level—featuring a garage, wine cellar, gym, spa, and atelier—into the slope, where fire‑pit gardens offer secluded retreats.
Ultimately, AN Residence achieves quiet monumentality. By converging pure form and material honesty, Vincent Van Duysen crafts a home that breathes with its verdant Californian setting—bold, sensorial, and timeless.
